Doctor of Medicine (MD or DM), or in , meaning "Teacher of Medicine", is a terminal degree for physicians and surgeons. In countries that follow the tradition of the United States, it is a first professional graduate degree awarded upon graduation from medical school. In countries that follow the tradition of the United Kingdom, the title of the equivalent medical degree is instead styled as Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery. In those countries, the MD may either be: (1) a research doctorate, akin to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD); (2) an advanced clinical coursework degree, akin to the Master of Surgery; or (3) an honorary or higher doctorate reserved for medical graduates.